200:31,000[' ]| 200:31,000[' ]| 200:31,001[B ]| Dear solitary groves where peace does dwell, 200:31,002[B ]| Sweet harbours of pure love and innocence, 200:31,003[B ]| How willingly could I forever stay 200:31,004[B ]| Beneath the shade of your embracing greens 200:31,005[B ]| Listening to harmony of warbling birds 200:31,006[B ]| Tuned with the gentle murmurs of the stream 200:31,007[B ]| Upon whose banks in various livery 200:31,008[B ]| The fragrant offspring of the early year 200:31,009[B ]| Their heads like graceful swans bent proudly down 200:31,010[B ]| See their own beauties in the crystal flood; 200:31,011[B ]| Of these I could mysterious chaplets weave 200:31,012[B ]| Expressing some kind innocent design 200:31,013[B ]| To show my Maximus at his return 200:31,014[B ]| And fondly chiding make his heart confess 200:31,015[B ]| How far my busy idleness excels 200:31,016[B ]| The idle business he pursues all day 200:31,017[B ]| At the contentious court or clamorous camp 200:31,018[B ]| Robbing my eyes of what they love to see 200:31,019[B ]| My ears of his dear words they wish to hear 200:31,020[B ]| My longing arms of the embrace they covet. 200:31,021[B ]| Forgive me heaven if when I these enjoy 200:31,022[B ]| So perfect is the happiness I find 200:31,023[B ]| That my soul satisfied feels no ambition 200:31,024[B ]| To change these humble roofs and sit above. 200:31,000[' ]| 200:31,025[J ]| Madam my lord just now alighted here 200:31,026[J ]| Was by an order from the emperor 200:31,027[J ]| Called back to court. 200:31,028[J ]| This he commanded me to let you know 200:31,029[J ]| And that he would make haste in his return. 200:31,030[B ]| The emperor! 200:31,031[B ]| Unwonted horror seizes me all o'er 200:31,032[B ]| When I but hear him named; sure 'tis not hate 200:31,033[B ]| For though his impious love with scorn I heard 200:31,034[B ]| And fled with terror from his threatening force 200:31,035[B ]| Duty commands me humbly to forgive 200:31,036[B ]| And bless the lord to whom my lord does bow; 200:31,037[B ]| Nay more methinks he is the gracefullest man 200:31,038[B ]| His words so framed to tempt himself to please 200:31,039[B ]| That 'tis my wonder how the powers above 200:31,040[B ]| Those wise and careful guardians of the good 200:31,041[B ]| Have trusted such a force of tempting charms 200:31,042[B ]| To enemies declared, of innocence; 200:31,043[B ]| 'Tis then some strange prophetic fear I feel 200:31,044[B ]| That seems to warn me of approaching ills. 200:31,045[B ]| Lycias go fetch your lute and sing that song 200:31,046[B ]| My lord calls his, I'll try to wear away 200:31,047[B ]| The melancholy thoughts his absence breeds. 200:31,048[B ]| Come gentle slumbers in your flattering arms 200:31,049[B ]| I'll bury these disquiets of my mind 200:31,050[B ]| Till Maximus return for when he's here 200:31,051[B ]| My heart is raised above the reach of fear. 200:31,000[' ]| 200:31,052[J ]| She sleeps ~~ 200:31,053[J ]| Now to the flattering prospect of my hopes; 200:31,054[J ]| The messenger that came to fetch my lord 200:31,055[J ]| Has brought me here a note from Proculus. 200:31,056[J ]| Let's read a little ~~ 200:31,000[' ]| 200:31,000[' ]| 200:31,057[I ]| Lycias thou art the most fortunate of men, 200:31,058[I ]| Riches and honours come upon thee full sail. 200:31,059[I ]| What can determine thy glory and greatness? 200:31,060[I ]| The emperor loves thee, longs for thy company, 200:31,061[I ]| Will delight in thee and trust thee: what an 200:31,062[I ]| Opportunity hast thou to destroy thy enemies, 200:31,063[I ]| Delude thy friends, enrich thy self, 200:31,064[I ]| Enslave the world, raise thy kindred, 200:31,065[I ]| Humble thy master and govern him; he expects 200:31,066[I ]| Thee about the evening in his closet, fail not, 200:31,067[I ]| And remember poor Chylax who always loved 200:31,068[I ]| And honoured thee, though till this hour it was 200:31,069[I ]| His misfortune never to let thee know it. 200:31,070[I ]| Farewell. 200:31,071[J ]| This is a summons to prosperity 200:31,072[J ]| And if I stop or falter at the means 200:31,073[J ]| Or think they can be vile and infamous 200:31,074[J ]| Be what they will that may my fortunes raise 200:31,075[J ]| On Vesta's altar for some lamb or calf 200:31,076[J ]| May I be burnt a senseless sacrifice; 200:31,077[J ]| Time hurries on lest therefore dull delay 200:31,078[J ]| Should blast my springing hopes I'll haste away. 200:31,000[' ]| 200:31,000[' ]|